DIVER \\ DOWN
- americanmaniaczc
- Oct 9, 2020
- 2 min read
At the height of Van Halen’s fame— Eddie Van Halen sat down for an actual content driven interview with I believe Kurt Loder’s MTV (the interviewer is not seen on camera). Eddie with his trademark boyish grin, and humble playful demeanor accompanied by his always trusty lung dart lit in hand; genuinely dismisses the idea that he was a Rock/Guitar God.
“I’m just a punk kid who plays guitar...sometimes something magical happens, and then I try it again, and I can’t do it.”
-EVH
The late 70’s and early 80’s was very much like the early 90’s. There was a wave of much needed rebellion against stale corporate rock n' roll. In the 70’s it was the Sex Pistols and Punk Rock that blasted through the door saying fuck off to the bullshit Mom-Rock and Bubble Gum Disco that was dominating the air waves, and in the 90’s it was Nirvana and Grunge. But, unlike the early 90’s the late 70’s had a rock band that did not fall victim to the slaying of all over the top brass balls rock n roll. In fact quite the contrary.
Van Halen was blissfully unaware there was even a coup against the very style of music they loved playing, and antics they so enjoyed.
VH was just an apolitical California Bar band led by just a “Punk Kid who plays guitar,” that would never shy away from the admission that he only became good at the Axe because he never wanted a real job. And, in the late 70’s they were dominating the LA bar, and party scene with insane guitar solo fueled cover songs— sung by a fun loving front-man who almost always seemed as if he was a Barnum Bailey Circus Ring leader, or a performer from the 1920’s Vaudeville scene; rather than a rock n roller.
All the guitar solos, and very cool interesting vocal harmonies aside. I think the humble and playful nature of Eddie (even though he amassed all that talent) mixed with Roth’s almost Buster Keaton esque performance art— really was the true sticking point for them as not only performers; but relatable, party-loving, enjoy the hell out of life Americans.
If a band were ever to encompass what it truly means to be an AMERICAN // MANIAC, Van Mother Fucking Halen was it.
Happy Trails Eddie. What you contributed, and still contribute through your music to this world is only equally matched by a select few that have ever graced this silly thing called Earth.
When it comes to their albums my personal favorite is DIVER \ DOWN. In the scope of modern musical achievements this album is an American masterpiece. It has everything from hard rock blasting originals, to classic cover songs, to a 1940’s New Orleans style jazz song; and ends very appropriately with an a capella rendition of ‘Happy Trails.’
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